Leadership

Our Executive and Directors Team are experienced professionals who lead with care and compassion.

compass resting on rock face in sunlight

Leadership

Our Executive and Director Teams are experienced professionals who lead with care and compassion.

Introduction

Meet Our Executive Team

Jason Vanderscoff | LADC

CEO | Chairman of the Board

Jason is the CEO and Chairman of the Board of NorthStar Regional and was formerly the CEO of Five Stars Recovery Center. He is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). His responsibilities include overall strategy, program development, financial oversight and provider contracting. Jason has also served as the CEO of CD Recovery Services, DRS Acquisitions, and Cx Technology Services. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Martin Beck

President | Chief Financial Officer

Martin’s professional life has been spent as an investment banker and investor in the industrial, business services and healthcare sectors. 

Martin served as chairman of TTC Healthcare from 2019 until its sale to a publicly-traded entity of which he became CFO and then CEO.  TTC, headquartered in Florida, provided a full continuum of behavioral health services. During the period in which Martin led TTC the Company enjoyed a significant expansion of its business, including opening a de novo detox / residential / partial hospitalization facility, the addition of in-network contracts and growth of its mental health services. 

Sarah Roy | MBA

Executive Vice President

Sarah Roy, recently promoted to Executive Vice President at NorthStar Regional, brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of operational excellence. Sarah’s journey with NorthStar began in the Admissions Department, where she spearheaded transformative improvements to administrative processes and cultivated a collaborative team culture that significantly enhanced client experiences. Her success in Admissions paved the way for her role as Vice President of Operations, where she excelled in optimizing daily operations, driving organizational efficiencies, and playing an instrumental role in strategic expansion initiatives.

Now, as Vice President, Sarah’s focus has broadened to include overseeing cross-departmental collaboration, mentoring leadership teams, and fostering a culture of innovation and growth throughout the organization. Her data-driven approach to decision-making and unwavering commitment to NorthStar’s mission, vision, and values continue to guide her work in shaping a thriving and supportive environment for staff and clients alike.

John McGinnis | LADC

Chief Mission Officer

John McGinnis, LADC, serves as Chief Mission Officer at NorthStar Regional, a newly created executive leadership role focused on advancing the organization’s mission and strengthening alignment across programs, teams, and campuses. John brings more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, with extensive background in both chemical dependency and co-occurring (MICD) treatment.

Throughout his career, John has held a variety of clinical and leadership roles supporting adolescents and adults at NorthStar Regional, Five Stars Recovery, and other Minnesota-based organizations. He is widely recognized as a driving force behind the quality of client care and the overall treatment experience, with a strong commitment to helping individuals and families move forward in recovery. In his role as Chief Mission Officer, John continues to champion excellence, consistency, and client-centered care across NorthStar Regional’s full continuum of services.

Amy VanHouten | ADC-T

Chief of Operations

Amy began her journey with NorthStar Regional through an internship at the Maple Grove IOP, where she gained hands-on experience across multiple stages of care. Her dedication and leadership quickly advanced her to the role of Treatment Director at the Riverwood Campus in Otsego, where she played a pivotal role in shaping programming, strengthening operations, and supporting staff development.

Now serving as Chief of Operations, Amy leads NorthStar Regional’s facilities and programs with the same excellence and consistency that have defined her career. She is recognized for her exceptional organizational skills, ability to support and guide teams, and strong knowledge of DHS policies and procedures. A driving force behind NSR’s mission, Amy is committed to creating environments where clients and staff can thrive—ensuring compassionate, high-quality care remains at the center of everything we do.

Jonathan Holt

Chief Marketing Officer

Jonathan Holt serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at NorthStar Regional, where he brings more than three decades of profound expertise in marketing, communications, and operational strategies, spanning both traditional and digital marketing landscapes. Before assuming his current role, Jonathan held an executive position at ESCO. Prior to that, he led international marketing endeavors at Starkey Hearing Technologies, making a substantial impact on the company’s global presence.

Jonathan’s educational background includes a degree in Advertising, which he earned from Collins College in Tempe, Arizona. His career journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to driving strategic marketing initiatives, fostering organizational growth, and achieving impactful results within the dynamic and ever-evolving field of marketing and communications.

Annette Pearson | MS, LADC, CBIS

Chief of Programs & Services

Annette has worked in the field of behavioral health care for 32 years, with 25 of those being specific to SUD. Starting her career as a tech, Annette went on to achieve a B.S. in Psychology and Master’s in Guidance & Counseling while she continued to accumulate greater responsibilities and director roles within various other organizations in the field of SUD and Mental Health. Adding in her role as a DHS licensing peer reviewer, certification as a Brain Injury Specialist, extensive conferencing lecturing experience, service on the MARRCH education committee, and so much more, we are overjoyed to bring Annette on board.

Bringing passion to her role. Annette’s focus revolves around improving client care with evidence-based practices and cutting edge treatment modalities while training, supporting, and educating counselors and staff entrusted under her supervision.

Riko Armstrong

Chief Compliance Officer

Riko Armstrong is the Chief Compliance Officer of NorthStar Regional, bringing more than 13 years of experience across healthcare, nonprofit, government, and military environments. He earned a BA in Journalism and Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado and later obtained a master’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in Fraud Management from Colorado State University. Following his undergraduate studies, Riko served for a decade in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Ordnance man First Class, completing two deployments to the Persian Gulf, a special assignment with a Naval Recruiting District, and a tour in Bahrain. During his service, he held key leadership roles including career counselor, mentorship coordinator, security officer, and suicide prevention coordinator. As a seasoned compliance executive and former Compliance Director at MN Adult & Teen Challenge, Riko has built enterprise compliance programs achieving 100% audit pass rates and meaningful reductions in organizational risk. He holds a Certificate in Leadership in Professional Ethics and Compliance and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of Texas at Austin, reflecting his commitment to ethical governance, regulatory excellence, and sustainable organizational performance.

Jackie Kerkow-Dohmen | MSW, LICSW

Vice President of Mental Health

Jacki has worked in the field since 2012 and joined NorthStar Regional in 2021. She brings extensive experience in outpatient mental health, including work with clients living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), and is passionate about trauma-informed care. Jacki is also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a specialized approach that helps clients process and heal from difficult or traumatic memories.

At NSR, Jacki has been a dedicated leader, supporting both clients and clinicians with compassion and expertise. In her new role, she will continue expanding NSR’s mental health programs while mentoring staff and ensuring that clients receive the highest quality of care.

Introduction

Meet Our Director Team

Jeanine Jackson

Director of Human Resources

Jeanine graduated from Metropolitan State University with a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration (MPNA) in 2019, her undergraduate focus was Human Resource Management. She has over 15+ years of experience in HR and compliance in the nonprofit sector, corporate, tribal, and government/public sector. She is an Adjunct Professor/Community Faculty at Metro State where she teaches ‘Contemporary Native American Issues for Nonprofits and Government’. Her published work can be found in the Journal of Nonprofit and Public Affairs. She has a passion for and background in the recovery, mental health, SUDS community and was an active member of the Association of Recovery Schools National Board.

Jeanine has collaborated with the University of Chicago Chapin Hall in Washington DC on a national strategy to end homelessness, and was a presenter at the National Alliance to End Homelessness 2021. She has presented her research, taught, and designed coursework in many other capacities. She is an enrolled member of Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians her tribes are Ojibwe (enrolled), Potawatomi, and Cree descendent.

Justin Michaud

Director of Revenue Cycle

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014, Justin holds dual degrees in Economics and Communications. Following his graduation, he gained valuable experience as a Quality Assurance Analyst at Epic, a leading medical Electronic Health Records company, along with a 5-year tenure as a Billing Manager at Procentive. During this time, he played a pivotal role in catering to the billing needs of over 130 mental health, SUD, EIDBI, and ARMHS agencies across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Washington. Justin is a valuable contributor to the growth and success of NorthStar Regional, enabling us to serve an increasing number of clients each year. He is deeply committed to facilitating access to essential care and simplifying the ever-present complexities of insurance, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to receive our crucial healthcare services.

Madilyn Myers | MA, LPCC, LADC

Treatment Director, Men’s Riverwood Campus

Madilyn Myers serves as the Treatment Director at NorthStar Regional’s Men’s Riverwood Campus. She previously led clinical services at Riverwood for IOL clients, and led our IOP program in Maple Grove, bringing her experience and dedication to multiple campuses within the organization.

A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), Madilyn has more than six years of experience supporting individuals through the challenges of mental health and addiction. She is passionate about helping clients build insight into the connection between mental health and substance use, while encouraging resilience, strength, and motivation for lasting recovery.

Madilyn earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and communications from the University of South Dakota, followed by a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She remains dedicated to client-centered care, ensuring every individual feels supported, understood, and empowered on their recovery journey.

Misty Virnig

Misty Virnig | LPCC, LADC, CCTP, EMDR Therapist

Treatment Director, Eden Prairie Campus

Misty Virnig brings over 15 years of experience in the behavioral health field to her role as Treatment Director at NorthStar Regional’s Eden Prairie campus. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School. Misty has worked across multiple levels of care including outpatient substance use disorder treatment for adults, outpatient mental health for both children and adults, ARMHS, residential mental health, and medication-assisted treatment. She has also specialized in working with adolescents in both residential settings and as a School-Linked Mental Health Therapist, completing advanced training in DC:0-5 for early childhood mental health assessments.

Since joining NorthStar Regional in 2024 as a Mental Health Therapist at Otsego’s IOP with lodging program, Misty has continued to demonstrate her commitment to client-centered care. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and EMDR therapist, she leads with a “trust and inspire” approach—believing in the potential within each person, even when it may be difficult for them to see it themselves. Misty is passionate about fostering environments where both staff and clients can grow into the best version of themselves. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her children and her two pugs—Lola, a registered therapy dog who often accompanies her to work, and Georgia, a therapy dog in training.

Rafael Lewis | MA, LADC

Treatment Director, Southern Campuses

Rafael is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) who holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is currently a Doctoral (Psy.D.) Candidate in Counseling Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is working toward licensure as a Licensed Psychologist (LP).
 
Rafael’s work focuses on strengthening the client experience across NorthStar Regional’s continuum of care. He is dedicated to ensuring that individuals entering treatment encounter a coordinated and supportive process that allows them to fully benefit from the organization’s comprehensive programming.
 
His professional interests include substance use recovery, behavioral health systems, and the integration of mental and physical wellness in sustained recovery. Rafael is also a proud husband and father.

Tanya Mittelstaedt | LADC

Clinical Director, WRTC

Tanya Mittelstaedt serves as the Clinical Director for NorthStar Regional’s Women’s Residential Treatment Center (WRTC) in Chaska. She joined NorthStar Regional in 2019 and has been instrumental in delivering compassionate, client-centered care to women in recovery. Tanya was promoted to Clinical Director in May 2024, bringing both clinical expertise and lived experience to her leadership role.

Tanya earned her LADC following an 880-hour internship at Hazelden in Plymouth, where she worked closely with adolescent girls. She graduated from Metropolitan State University in May of 2019. With nearly a decade of personal recovery experience—celebrating 10 years of sobriety in September 2025—Tanya offers a perspective that is deeply empathetic and grounded in real-world understanding.

She is known for her transparent and direct communication style, as well as her genuine commitment to the women she serves. Tanya often reflects that while not every client may find recovery immediately, “we’re planting seeds.” Her leadership reflects a commitment to both accountability and hope. Outside of work, she enjoys time at the beach—especially if it’s part of a Disney Cruise. She also enjoys fishing and spending time with her husband and 14-year-old daughter and other family at her cabin up north.

Kathryn_Harvey_lp

Kathryn Harvey | LADC

Clinical Director, Sugar Creek Campus

Kathryn is the Clinical Director at NorthStar Regional’s Sugar Creek Campus in Chaska. With over 13 years of experience as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), Kathryn has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the journey of addiction recovery and discover purpose in their lives.

A graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Kathryn earned her B.S. in Alcohol and Drug Studies and has since excelled in various counseling roles. Her two years at NorthStar Regional’s Shakopee Men’s Residential facility have been marked by her unwavering commitment to excellence and compassionate care.

Kathryn believes in fostering a healthy work-life balance and enjoys collaborating with her team to provide leadership and support. Her passion for addiction recovery and her drive to inspire others make her an invaluable part of the NorthStar Regional community.